Hybrids – Vehicles, Battery & Hydraulic Technology

Toyota to Install Solar Panels on Prius Hybrids

July 15, 2008
• by Staff

TOKYO – Toyota Motor Corp. plans to install solar panels on some Prius hybrids in its next remodeling, responding to growing demand for green cars amid record-high oil prices. The panels, supplied by Kyocera Corp, would be able to power part of the air-conditioning on high-end versions of the gasoline-electric Prius, according to Reuters.

Toyota is due to launch the third-generation Prius next year. It is unknown how much the solar panels on the new Prius cars will cost or how many solar-mounted versions Toyota would build.

Toyota has a goal of selling at least 1 million hybrid cars a year in the early part of the next decade by offering the fuel-saving system on more vehicles.

Ford has expanded global testing of its Transit Custom plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to Valencia, Spain to see how it see how it can contribute to cleaner air targets and enhanced productivity for fleets.

Ford Motor Co. plans to phase out most of its sedans by 2020 in favor of a North American portfolio comprised of 90% trucks, utilities, and commercial vehicles, the company announced with its first quarter financial results.

The 2019 Ram 1500, which is entering its 15th generation, will include a combination of three engines and three powertrains, including a 5.7L V-8, V-8 mild hybrid, 3.6L V-6 mild hybrid, and 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel.